Rubber Flooring Myths: Debunked!

Rubber flooring is one of the popular surface options that have been the most preferred by both homeowners and commercial spaces. Its many benefits like slip-proof, shock absorbent, extreme durability, eco-friendly properties and cost-effectiveness, coupled with the wide array of trendy options make rubber flooring not just a worthy investment but also a stylish flooring option that has gained the top spot on the trending ladders.

From luxurious hotels, gyms, apartments and even at homes, rubber flooring is earning a place among the most picked flooring options by modern consumers of all scales. However, with all its fame and benefits, like any good things, irrelevant and half-truth facts are putting a fog on many minds pulling them away from this versatile flooring option.

So, before you take the surrounding rubber flooring myths at face value and create a misunderstanding, here we bust some of the common rubber flooring myths to help get to the fact to make the right choice.

Myth #1: Rubber floorings are ideal for garage floors.

Rubber flooring has numerous positive attributes that make it most of the most preferred versatile flooring choices for both residential and commercial spaces. However, rubber flooring is not an ideal choice for garages. As most of the current day, rubber flooring materials are made from rebounded mixed-rubber products that are generally held together by polyurethane glue. Over time the leaked oils, grease and other oils from parked vehicles can melt or break the polyurethane glue, damaging your rubber floors.

The car tires are known for their strong grip which can fold, tear or buckle the rubber folding under your vehicle tire. Also, the grease and other thick engine oil stains are tough to clean unlike other dirt or stains on the rubber floor. Instead, PVC flooring materials would be a better fit for garages as they are made from flexible plastics.

However, if you’re not leaving your vehicles in the garage or planning on converting them into a game room or gym, then rubber floors are your best pick. They offer better friction and comfort along with lasting quality for a long period.

Myth #2: Rubber floorings are excellent for basketball grounds.

A basketball court is a place that goes through frequent movements, the players will have to cut through, stay, run, and stop during the game. The extreme traction from rubber flooring prevents players from moving freely. Also, the strong traction from rubber flooring puts the athletes at risk of getting injuries like ankle twists, knee sprains, etc.

Above all rubber flooring decreases the bounce rate of basketball, that is why most basketball courts prefer concrete outdoors and wooden floorings indoors, for better performance.

Myth #3: Rubber floorings release a foul tire smell.

This very common false impression is partially true. The rubber floor materials are made from rubber products, so they do have a rubber smell but again this is not the case with all rubbers. For example, recycled rubber materials can have a strong rubber smell whereas virgin rubber materials will not have that evident odour.

The rubber smell may sound a bit discouraging to some but the rubber odour from most of these rubber flooring materials are just temporary which will be there only for the first few days, it will go after a few mopping with soap and water with proper ventilation.

Myth #4: Rubber flooring options are dull and boring.

This is a very false impression which you need to stop believing right now. Rubber floorings are versatile materials that are coupled with optimal functionality, balance, performance and cost-effectiveness. With time, these qualities have only improved, there are an array of rubber flooring varieties in the market today, coming in all forms, colours and styles. They are very much loved by modern consumers from homeowners to commercial individuals equally.

Myth #5: Rubber floorings are not eco-friendly.

This is again not true. Most of the rubber flooring materials are manufactured from pre-cycled and recycled tire materials.

As we, tire wastes are like one of the worst enemies of the environment. Today there is a rising problem of tire wastes disposed of in dump yards and landfills emitting harmful methane gas. The tire wastes tend to trap in the methane gas in an attempt to burst out into the atmosphere causing a bubbling effect. Several scientific research shows that the methane gas emitted from wastes like tire materials are 90 times more capable of trapping heat than carbon dioxide, thus they dangerously contribute to increasing global warming conditions.

This dangerous emission of methane gas from tire waste materials is not just hurtful to the landfills’ integrity but also dangerous to the environment.

Rubber flooring has many advantages making it an ideal surface option for both residential and commercial zones. While some of the prevailing myths may cover the real hard facts, you must always be able to see through the surface false impression and understand the truth before making your final choice.

For optimal efficiency and maximum profits, make sure to install your rubber flooring at appropriate e areas in the right way by prioritising your needs first.